Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was bummed out about missing a handful of big plays to receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Monday night against the Detroit Lions.
Rodgers specifically mentioned a miss on the goal line and two deep shots that he overthrew in the second half.
“I missed Marquez a couple of times when I had him,” Rodgers said after the game. “Missed him three times today, he could have had three touchdowns, disappointed about that.”
The Packers beat the Lions by 18 points, and Rodgers threw four touchdown passes and only five incompletions. But the MVP quarterback still left some plays on the field.
Rodgers was under pressure and throwing off his back foot on the opportunity at the goal line. The Packers ran a combination route with Valdes-Scantling and Davante Adams against man coverage, and Valdes-Scantling worked underneath to beat his man. The throw was hurried and off the mark.
Later, with the Packers up big, Valdes-Scantling had a step on the coverage on two different go routes but Rodgers was a couple of feet too deep on both throws.
“Marquez is such a weapon for us, and it kills me that I missed him because he does so many things to open up stuff for other guys, and he’s a very selfless guy, so I’m bummed out,” Rodgers said.
Two specific examples of selflessness jumped off the screen. On the first, Valdes-Scantling ran a pick route to help open up Aaron Jones on his second touchdown catch. His route created just enough traffic for Jones to get a step in the flat and race into the end zone. Later, his presence in the slot occupied the single-high safety and gave Adams a one-on-one opportunity, which the All-Pro receiver turned into a game-changing 50-yard catch on third down.
Overall, Valdes-Scantling saw four targets but didn’t have a catch against the Lions. His first target was another go ball that got broken up by rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Rodgers said he felt “terrible” about the misses.
Through two games, Valdes-Scantling has just three catches for 17 yards – but the big plays will eventually hit. Rodgers, an excellent thrower of the deep ball, won’t miss too many more, and Valdes-Scantling’s speed in the Matt LaFleur offense is always going to create opportunities for shots down the field.
“He’s going to make plays for us,” Rodgers said.
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